Achaia was a Roman province located in southern Greece. It played an important role in the early spread of Christianity as described in the New Testament. Here is an overview of the significance of Achaia in the Bible:
Paul’s missionary journeys to Achaia
The apostle Paul traveled extensively to spread the gospel message about Jesus Christ. During his second missionary journey around AD 50, Paul first went to Achaia, landing at Cenchreae and staying briefly in Corinth (Acts 18:1). He spent a year and a half preaching in Corinth and established a church there. Paul later wrote two epistles to the Corinthians to address issues in the Corinthian church.
On his third missionary journey around AD 52-55, Paul returned to Achaia and stayed three months in Corinth (Acts 20:2-3). During this time, he wrote his letter to the Romans. Paul’s missionary efforts led many in Achaia to convert to Christianity.
Apollos’s ministry in Achaia
Apollos was a Jewish believer from Alexandria who had come to Ephesus and began teaching about Jesus, though he only knew of John’s baptism at first (Acts 18:24-28). Aquila and Priscilla provided him fuller instruction. Apollos then traveled to Achaia and powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:27-28). Apollos later ministered alongside Paul in spreading the gospel (1 Corinthians 3:4-6).
Churches established in Achaia
As a result of the missionary activities of Paul, Apollos, and others, several churches were established in the province of Achaia:
- Church in Corinth – Paul spent a year and a half establishing this church (Acts 18:11). He later wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians to this church.
- Churches in Achaia – Paul refers to “churches of Achaia” (2 Corinthians 1:1), indicating multiple churches started there.
- Church in Cenchreae – One of these was likely in Cenchreae, a seaport near Corinth where Paul stopped (Acts 18:18, Romans 16:1).
These churches faced various challenges but their establishment led to the spread of Christianity in Greece.
Financial support from Achaia for the Jerusalem church
When a severe famine struck Judea around AD 46, the churches in Achaia (specifically Corinth) took up a collection to provide relief for the struggling church in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8-9). Paul and others carried their generous gift to Jerusalem (Acts 24:17). This demonstrated unity between Gentile and Jewish Christians.
Jews from Achaia oppose Paul
While many accepted the gospel, Paul also faced Jewish opposition in Achaia for preaching Jesus as the Messiah. When Paul was later arrested in Jerusalem, Tertullus the lawyer accused Paul of stirring up trouble among Jews all over the Roman Empire, including those in Achaia (Acts 24:1-9). The Jews from Achaia likely reported Paul to the authorities out of irritation with his message about Jesus.
Paul’s defense before Gallio in Achaia
One incident of Jewish opposition occurred while Paul was in Corinth during his second journey. The Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, accusing him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law (Acts 18:12-17). However, Gallio refused to judge what he saw as merely religious disputes over words and names. He drove them away from the tribunal. This decision provided some legal protection for the fledgling church in Achaia.
Lessons from Achaia
The references to Achaia in the New Testament provide some key lessons:
- God uses missionaries like Paul and Apollos to spread the gospel to new regions.
- Establishing churches requires persevering through opposition and addressing complex problems.
- Unity in the early church spanned different cultures like Jews and Gentiles.
- God can use governing authorities to protect the church from false accusations.
- The gospel message produces both sincere converts as well as hardened opposition.
In summary, Achaia played a key role in the expansion of early Christianity through the missionary efforts of Paul and others. Its churches faced challenges but also generously supported fellow believers. References to Achaia in the New Testament provide practical lessons for spreading the gospel today.
Gallio
Gallio was the Roman proconsul of Achaia from AD 51-52. He is mentioned in Acts 18:12-17 in relation to Paul’s missionary work in Corinth. When the Jews brought Paul before Gallio’s tribunal, accusing him of persuading people to worship God unlawfully, Gallio refused to judge what he saw as merely religious disputes over words, names, and Jewish law. He drove the accusers away from the tribunal. This decision likely brought some protection for the early church in Achaia from further persecution or accusations from the Jews. Gallio’s judgment reflects the Roman disinterest in internal Jewish religious affairs at the time. The incident provides insight into the legal standing of Christianity in relation to Judaism in the mid-first century under Roman rule.
Cenchreae
Cenchreae was one of the seaports of Corinth located on the Saronic Gulf in Achaia. Paul stopped there briefly at the start of his second missionary journey when he sailed from Corinth to Syria (Acts 18:18). A church was also established in Cenchreae, likely from Paul’s influence. In Romans 16:1, Paul commends to the Romans “our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.” Phoebe was presumably the carrier of Paul’s letter to the Romans. The mention of Cenchreae provides further evidence of the spread of Christianity in Greece through Paul’s missionary work, reaching even to its port cities.
Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians
Paul wrote two canonical letters to the church in Corinth that he had established. 1 Corinthians deals with divisions in the church, immorality, marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship practices, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection. 2 Corinthians focuses on Paul’s ministry, giving for believers in Jerusalem, and defending his apostleship. Key passages include:
- 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, kind…
- 1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection chapter
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: In Christ, new creation
- 2 Corinthians 12: Paul’s thorn in the flesh
These letters reveal some of the issues faced by a newly established Gentile church in a Greek city influenced by pagan culture. The Corinthian correspondence provides insight into Paul’s approaches to nurturing young churches.
Significance of Achaia for Understanding Paul and Early Christianity
The references to Achaia and Corinth in Acts and the Corinthian epistles are significant for understanding several aspects of early Christianity and Paul’s missionary work:
- The gospel spreads beyond Judea to Gentile lands like Greece.
- Paul faces both conversions and opposition from the Jews in each new city.
- Paul adapts his methods to the local context (e.g., reasoning in synagogues with Jews, preaching philosophically to Greeks).
- Young churches face complex issues stemming from pagan background.
- Paul offers pastoral care through correspondence.
- There are financial ties between the churches.
- A diversity of church leaders work alongside Paul.
- Paul asserts his authority as an apostle of Christ when needed.
- There are interactions between church and state seen in the Gallio incident.
Without the events and letters associated with Achaia, scholars would know far less about Paul, his missionary strategy, and the challenges of the early churches spreading in a Greco-Roman world.
Acts 18 – Paul in Corinth
Acts 18 details Paul’s initial ministry in Corinth during his second missionary journey:
- Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla who had recently left Italy (v.1-3)
- Paul preaches in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks (v.4)
- Silas and Timothy come from Macedonia to help Paul (v.5)
- Jewish opposition arises so Paul stops preaching in synagogue (v.6)
- Paul stays with Titius Justus, converts many Corinthians (v.7-8)
- The Lord encourages Paul in a vision to keep preaching (v.9-10)
- Paul stays for 1 1/2 years, teaching the word of God (v.11)
- Jews accuse Paul before Gallio but he refuses to judge (v.12-17)
- Paul remains many days then leaves for Syria (v.18)
- Priscilla and Aquila instruct Apollos in the full gospel (v.24-28)
This chapter highlights key aspects of Paul’s ministry – preaching the gospel despite opposition, establishing churches, and equipping other leaders to carry on the work.
1 Corinthians 16:5-9 – Paul’s Travel Plans
In 1 Corinthians 16:5-9, Paul discusses his travel plans, including a visit to Corinth:
I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
This passage gives insight into:
- Paul’s extensive travel and ministry throughout the region
- His desire to spend time with the churches he started
- His sensitivity to the Lord’s leading in making plans
- His commitment to effectively preaching the gospel
- His perseverance despite experiencing opposition
Paul was strategic in maximizing opportunities to spread the gospel throughout Achaia and beyond.
Romans 15:26 – Collection for Jerusalem
For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
This verse references the collection Paul coordinates from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia to bring relief to the church in Jerusalem suffering from famine. Though a short reference, it provides insight into:
- The poverty and suffering of the Jerusalem believers
- The financial ties between Gentile and Jewish churches
- Achaia’s (specifically Corinth’s) generous contributions
- Coordination across regions by Paul and others for the offering
- Unity expressed practically between Jewish and Gentile Christians
This offering would have great symbolic significance for showing the unity of the early church across ethnicities.
2 Corinthians – Hardship and Apostleship
2 Corinthians provides insight into Paul’s ministry between his first and second visits to Corinth:
- Paul faces hardship and persecution in Asia (1:8-11)
- He ministers with sincerity and authority from God (2:17, 3:5-6)
- His ministry aims to transform lives (3:18)
- He perseveres through trials because of the resurrection hope (4:7-18)
- He motivates generosity in giving (8-9)
- He continues to defend his authority as an apostle (10-13)
2 Corinthians reveals Paul’s heart for the Corinthian church and his struggles in ministry, reminding believers today about perseverance and sincerity in preaching the gospel in the face of opposition.
Conclusion
Achaia, particularly Corinth and its port Cenchreae, played a key role in the spread of early Christianity. Paul and Apollos preached the gospel there on their missionary journeys despite Jewish opposition. Several churches were established that generously supported other believers. Paul continued to nurture these churches through correspondence and visits. The references to Achaia provide great insight into Paul’s character and the challenges faced by early believers preaching a new faith throughout the Roman Empire. God used this important region to grow the church beyond Judea through faithful believers empowered by the Spirit.